The Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice (Comics) | Review

What happens when Barry Allen gets so overwhelmed fighting crime that the universe decides to create an entire city of speedsters overnight? DC Rebirth's opening Flash arc takes the old saying about lightning never striking twice and completely shatters it by flooding Central City with dozens of new speedsters all at once.

Here's what makes Lightning Strikes Twice different from every other Flash story you've read: it forces Barry Allen to become a teacher and leader when he's barely figured out his own powers and responsibilities as Central City's primary protector and hero.

Joshua Williamson (The Flash: The Greatest Trick of All, The Flash: Reckoning of the Forces) uses the Speed Force storm concept to explore what happens when being the Fastest Man Alive becomes being the Most Experienced Man Among Many Fast People. The dynamic completely changes everything about how Flash stories work.

The story establishes Barry Allen dealing with the aftermath of DC Universe Rebirth while Central City faces a new threat in Black Hole, a science-based terrorist organization that views the Speed Force as a resource to be harvested and weaponized for their own purposes.

Their carefully engineered Speed Force storm creates dozens of new speedsters overnight, including Detective August Heart and STAR Labs scientist Meena Dhawan, who become Barry's most important allies and partners in protecting Central City from emerging threats.

What makes this storyline brilliant is how Williamson uses the new speedsters to examine Barry's character from every possible angle. Each new speedster represents a different aspect of what makes Barry special– his moral compass, his scientific curiosity, his determination to help others and his natural leadership abilities.

When these qualities get distributed among multiple people, it forces Barry to confront what makes him unique beyond just being fast and examine his true value as Central City's protector and leader of the rapidly growing speedster community around him.

The arc connects directly to the broader Rebirth initiative, specifically addressing Barry's knowledge of Flashpoint and the timeline changes he's caused. This isn't just continuity housekeeping– it's psychological exploration of guilt and responsibility.

The storyline also sets up major plot threads that continue throughout Williamson's entire run, including the introduction of key characters who become crucial to later arcs like "The Button" and "Flash War" storylines that define the series moving forward.

Barry's relationship with the new speedsters creates genuine tension because he's simultaneously mentor, colleague and potential rival. The story explores whether Central City actually needs Barry Allen specifically or just needs someone with super speed. This question drives the emotional core of the entire arc.

The brilliance lies in how Williamson makes Barry's greatest asset– his extensive experience with the Speed Force– become a source of both authority and isolation that separates him from the very people he's trying to help and protect throughout Central City.

He knows crucial things about time travel and alternate timelines that the new speedsters can't understand but that dangerous knowledge also separates him from the very people he's trying to help and protect throughout their shared adventures in Central City.

Williamson weaves in references to classic Flash mythology while establishing new Speed Force rules that feel both familiar and fresh. The connection to previous continuity feels organic and the scientific approach to speedster abilities adds depth without overwhelming casual readers.

You'll recognize familiar elements from throughout Flash history without needing encyclopedic knowledge to enjoy the story, making it accessible to new readers while rewarding longtime fans with deeper connections and references to classic storylines.

The terrorist organization Black Hole represents a new type of Flash villain– they're not trying to be faster than Barry, they're trying to make speed irrelevant by giving it to everyone. This approach creates conflicts that can't be solved by simply running faster, forcing Barry to think strategically rather than just reactively to threats.

Artwork by Carmine Di Giandomenico (Batman and Robin: The Gotham Cycle, Daredevil: Battlin' Jack Murdock) captures the chaos and beauty of multiple speedsters in action while maintaining perfect clarity during complex sequences that could easily become confusing.

His Barry Allen feels both confident and uncertain, perfectly reflecting the character's internal struggle. The Speed Force effects are visually stunning and the action sequences showcase exactly why Di Giandomenico was the perfect choice for this storyline.

Williamson's writing balances spectacle with character development, making each speedster feel distinct rather than Barry Allen clones. His dialogue captures Barry's scientific mind and leadership abilities without making him perfect. The pacing builds momentum naturally, using the Speed Force as both plot device and metaphor.

The visual storytelling supports themes perfectly, with panel layouts emphasizing speed without sacrificing emotional beats. Di Giandomenico balances intimate moments with epic sequences, creating something that feels both classic and completely new.

The Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice succeeds because it uses a simple concept– what if there were lots of speedsters– to explore complex themes about leadership, responsibility and what makes a hero special. Williamson and Di Giandomenico have created a storyline that works as both superhero adventure and character study.

This arc works perfectly as an ideal starting point for new readers while giving longtime Flash fans a genuinely fresh perspective on familiar concepts and Speed Force mythology that feels both nostalgic and completely innovative at the same time throughout the storyline.

Whether you're interested in Speed Force science or just want to see Barry Allen grow as a character, Lightning Strikes Twice delivers everything that makes Flash stories exciting. It's essential reading that proves the best Rebirth books remembered exactly why these characters matter and continue to resonate with readers.

The Flash: Lightning Strikes Twice marks the beginning of Rebirth run, collected as a trade paperback with later editions including hardcovers and omnibuses. The story is also available digitally on ComiXology, Kindle and DC Universe Infinite.